BLHS girls have record offensive output for Simpson era

Basehor-Linwood girls basketball players ended an emotional week by setting a record for points scored in a game under coach Noah Simpson.

The Bobcats defeated Turner 77-43, which is the most points scored by a Simpson team.

What makes it fitting is that the team did it without Jamie Johnson who broke a bone in her arm during Tuesday’s loss to Tonganoxie and is expected to miss at least four weeks with the injury. Johnson was the team’s leading scorer this season and was the main reliable scorer the Bobcats had early in the year when other players got used to playing varsity basketball.

With Johnson out, players responded in her honor. Maggie Hattock hit a career-high six three-pointers in the game and finished with 20 points.

“I think that when we lost Jamie, we really wanted to do it for her,” Hattock said. “Coach said everyone needed to just do their job and a little more in her absence. That is what we did.”

Hattock said she felt great shooting the basketball in the game. She made three treys in the first quarter and found herself open to shoot a lot against Turner in the quarter. She led the team to an 18-point quarter.

With an 18-13 lead entering the second quarter, Basehor-Linwood dominated the second eight minutes of play. Hattock and Bailey Hooker each scored six points in the quarter. Five players scored as the team tallied 22 points.

On defense, the team shut down Turner forcing turnovers and rebounding the Bears' missed shots before they could chip in a layup.

The halftime score was 40-21 with the Bobcats in control.

In the second half of the game, Bailey Hooker carried the Bobcats offense. She scored 14 points in both quarters and was aggressive at rebounding the basketball for the team. Hooker is an example of the type of development players on this team have made this season under Simpson. Each player has steadily improved and the shots have begun to fall.

“Bailey has been amazing,” Simpson said. “She has grown so much in a year. She works so hard and is an amazing kid. That is the big thing. “

With Hooker and Hattock leading the Bobcats in scoring, the team was able to find an effective inside out game and find ways to score the basketball without Johnson. The Bobcats had 10 different players score in the game.